USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1915 > Part 6
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546 95
Equipment and incidentals
2,000 00
$53,484 25
Realizing, however, that unforseen matters frequently arise in the pros- ecution of work of this nature, requiring the expenditure of more money than was originally anticipated, the Committee has decided to recommend an appropriation of $7,000.00.
Respectfully submitted,
J. HENRY WELCH, HARRY E. HARDY,
EDWARD TILLOTSON, DANIEL F. KNOWLTON,
ARTHUR W. STUBBS, JAMES W. SANTRY, GEORGE D. R. DURKEE.
The report of the Ways and Means Committee was read.
Report of Ways and Means Committee for Special Town Meeting, May 10, 1915.
ARTICLE I. The Ways and Means Committee has conferred at length with the High School Building Committee in relation to the additional appropriation of $7,000, which they recommend in their report. The
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Committee finds that the estimates submitted by the High School Build- ing Committee, upon which the original appropriation of $47,000 was made, were too low in certain particulars, not due to the fault of the Building Committee. The most conspicuous discrepancy between the estimates and the actual cost, as ascertained when bids were submitted, was in the matter of necessary blasting for excavation. The Building Committee in making their estimate was without the funds necessary to determine the exact amount of blasting, and was obliged to rely upon what has proved to be misinformation.
The Ways and Means Committee, in the course of its conference with the Building Committee, finds that the original estimates, in addition to the above mentioned discrepancies, did not provide for the renovation of the older part of the building and its equipment, which is badly needed, or for unforseen expenses to be expected in the making of an addition to an old building. Moreover, in order to obtain the best results with the pro- posed heating and ventilating system, it is highly desirable to somewhat enlarge the amount originally estimated. The additional efficiency to be secured will in the saving of coal and better heating more than offset the additional expense. The Committee is firmly convinced that the best interests of the Town demand that the work be done properly. The Town has already committed itself to the extent of $48,000 for this pro- ject, and it seems to the Committee on Ways and Means that it would be unwise to spend this large amount and then have a building which will not meet the needs and expectations of the Town. The Building Com- mittee has actual bids for the greater part of the work, and is positive that the entire cost of the additions, equipment and renovation can be met if the sum of $7,000 is appropriated as recommended ..
We recommend that the sum of $7,000 be appropriated for this purpose, to be raised by bonds or notes of the Town.
ART. 3. At the Annual Town Meeting in March, the sum of $400 was appropriated for the care of the Monument avenue reservation. The Committee on Ways and Means considers this a sufficient amount to do this work properly if the money is spent judiciously, and we recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
ART. 4. The Committee is informed that certain contracts for the construction of the addition to the High School have already been exe- cuted. In view of this the Committee believes it might lead to serious complications to take any action looking to a recinding of the vote in question.
The Committee recommends that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
ART. 5. We recommend that the following be fixed as the particulars of the bonds or notes to be issued by the Town for the purposes set forth under Article I, which relates to the appropriation of seven thousand dollars for the construction of an addition to the High School building and the original equipment and furnishings.
There shall be seven bonds or notes for one thousand dollars each, numbered consecutively and dated during the current year. One bond or note shall be payable one year from the date thereof, and one bond or note shall be payable each year thereafter in numerical order. Said bonds or notes shall bear the Town Seal, shall be signed by the Town Treasurer and countersigned by a majority of the Selectmen, shall bear interest at a rate not exceeding 42 per cent per annum, payable semi-annually, shall be authenticated by some bank or trust company, or by the Massachusetts Bureau of Statistics ; shall be subject to registration at the holder's option on presentation to the Town Treasurer for cancellation of coupons (if coupon bonds are issued) and appropriate endorsement. Principal and interest shall be payable at the office of the Town Treasurer or at such bank or trust company as the Treasurer and Selectmen shall designate. Said bonds or notes shall bear on their face the words "Swampscott High School Supplementary Addition Loan, 1915." Said bonds or notes shall be sold under the direction of the Town Treasurer and the Board of Selectmen. All other particulars as to form, issuance and sale of said
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bonds or notes shall be determined by the Town Treasurer and Board of Selectmen, but said bonds or notes shall not be sold for less than par and interest.
HENRY S. BALDWIN, WIEAR L. ROWELL, E. HAROLD NEWHALL,
WILLIAM E. CARTER, .
WESTON K. LEWIS, F. WALKER JOHNSON.
Voted, Article I. To accept the report of the High School Committee as read.
Voted, Article I. To accept the report of the Ways and Means Com- mittee upon this article and adopt the recommendation appropriating $7,000 for this purpose, to be raised by bonds or notes of the Town.
Voted, Article 2. To adopt this article, giving full powers to the Library Building Committee in accordance therewith.
Voted, Article 3. To adopt this article, appropriating $300 for the care of the Monument Avenue Park Reservation in place of the report of Ways and Means Committee, which recommended indefinite postponement.
Voted, Article 4. To accept and adopt the recommendations of the Ways and Means Committee, indefinitely postponing action on this article.
Clarence B. Humphrey, Chairman of Selectmen, reported to the meet- ing that the Town Scales were in need of repairs, which were estimated to cost $300, also that new scales could be purchased and installed for about $600.
Voted. To adopt the following resolution :
Resolved. That the Board of Selectmen is hereby authorized to pur- chase a scale suitable for weighing a minimum load of twenty (20) tons and construct all the necessary appurtenances thereto. For this purpose it is authorized to expend a sum not to exceed seven hundred dollars ($700), said sum to be transferred from the contingent fund of 1915.
Voted, Article 5. To accept the report of the Ways and Means Com- mittee and adopt its recommendation as follows :
That the following be fixed as the particulars of the bonds or notes to be issued by the Town for the purposes set forth under Article I, which relates to the appropriation of seven thousand dollars ($7,000) for the construction of an addition to the High School building and the original equipment and furnishings.
There shall be seven bonds or notes for one thousand dollars each, numbered consecutively and dated during the current year. One bond or note shall be payable one year from the date thereof and one bond or note shall be payable each year thereafter in numerical order. Said bonds or notes shall bear the Town Seal, shall be signed by the Town Treasurer and countesigned by a majority of the Selectmen ; shall bear interest at a rate not exceeding 42 per cent per annum, payable semi-annually ; shall be authenticated by some bank or trust company, or by the Massachusetts Bureau of Statistics ; shall be subject to registration at the holder's option on presentation to the Town Treasurer for concellation of coupons (if coupon bonds are issued) and appropriate endorsement. Principal and interest shall be payable at the office of the Town Treasurer or at such bank or trust company as the Treasurer and Selectmen shall designate. Said bonds or notes shall bear on their face the words "Swampscott High School Supplementary Addition Loan, 1915." Said bonds or notes shall be sold under the direction of the Town Treasurer and Board of Select- men. All other particulars as to form, issuance and sale of said bonds or notes shall be determined by the Town Treasurer and Board of Selectmen, but said bonds or notes shall not be sold for less than par and interest. (Unanimous.)
Voted. To adopt the following resolution.
Whereas, the Board of Selectmen has recently granted certain town work under contract, which in the past has been performed by citizens of the Town, and
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Whereas, the Town has in the past repeatedly voted to give citizens preference in the performance of labor,
Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting that all future labor in the different departments shall be given to citizens of the Town in preference to all others when practical.
Voted. To dissolve at 9 o'clock.
Attest : GEORGE T. TILL, Town Clerk.
Special Town Meeting, Thursday, August 26, 1915. TOWN WARRANT.
ESSEX, SS.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Swampscott in said County, GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are directed to notify the inhabitants of the Town of Swampscott, qualified to vote in elections and in Town affairs, to assemble in the Town Hall, in said Swampscott, on Tuesday, the twenty-sixth day of August, current, at 8.00 P. M., then and there to act on the following articles, viz :
ARTICLE I. To see if the Town will vote to extend the water main from Millett road into Crest road, so called, for a distance of about 125 feet, and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by Otis D. Goodwin and others.
ART. 2. To see if the Town will vote to extend the water main on Suffolk avenue a distance of about 150 feet, and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by William J. Brennan and others. .
ART. 3. To see if the Town will vote to extend the water main on Fairview avenue and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by Peter J. Blaser and others.
ART. 4. To see if the Town will vote to transfer the unexpended balances of the Water Construction appropriations as follows : Millett road $23.57, Phillips avenue $107.89, Mountwood road $50.00, Galloupe's point $347.48, to Suffolk avenue, Fairview avenue and Crest avenue, as recommended by the Water and Sewerage Board.
ART. 5. To see if the Town will vote to extend the sewer main on Suffolk avenue a distance of about 150 feet, and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by William J. Brennan and others.
ART. 6. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $400 for the use of the Park Commissioners ; $300 to be used for the seeding of the outfield at Jackson park and $100 to be used for the meeting of unforeseen expenses at Blaney beach, as petitioned for by the Park Commissioners.
ART. 7. To see if the Town will vote an additional appropriation of $400.00 for refuse and garbage and $600.00 for general expenses, as peti- tioned for by the Board of Health.
ART. 8. To hear and act upon the report of the Board of Selectmen upon the reconstruction of Humphrey street, from Commonwealth avenue to Humphrey square, and appropriate money therefor.
ART. 9. To see if the Town will vote to lay curbstone on Paradise road, between Burrill street and the Railroad, at all places where not now in place, and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.
ART. 10. To see if the Town will vote to extend the granolithic side- walk on Humphrey street, from Marshall street to Commonwealth avenue, under the Humphrey street act, and appropriate money for the same by transfer from Humphrey street widening appropriation.
ART. II. To see what action the Town will take to regulate the sur- face drainage on land bordering on Humphrey street and adjacent to Phillips park, as recommended by John E. Burns and others.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
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ART. 12. To see what action the Town will take to regulate the selling price of water and to established a sliding scale of prices, as recommended by John E. Burns and others.
ART. 13. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to take such action as they deem necessary against the City of Lynn to bring about the abatement of the Stacy Brook nuisance.
ART. 14. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $6.500 for purchasing a new auto truck, as recommended by the Board of Fire Engi- neers.
ART. 15. To see if the Town will vote to appoint a Committee of three to confer with the authorities of the City of Lynn for the purpose of formating Legislative action tending toward the annexation of the Town of Swampscott to the City of Lynn, as recommended by Martin E. Nies and others.
ART. 16. To see if the Town will vote to rescind the action taken at the last Annual Town Meeting, whereby it was voted to resurface Hum- phrey street under the specifications of the Massachusetts Highway Com- mission and for which the sum of $6,000 was appropriated, as recom- mended by Martin E. Nies and others.
ART. 17. To see if the Town will vote to accept and adopt the recom- mendations of the Surveyor of Highways as outlined in his annual report and appropriate money for the same; the same to be expended in the resurfacing of Humphrey street under the direction of said surveyor, as recommended by Martin E. Nies and others.
ART. 18. To see if the Town will vote to rescind the following action taken at the last Annual Town Meeting, March 22, 1915. Voted, Article 60. To accept the report and adopt the recommendations of the Ways and Means Committee, appropriating $6,000.00 to be raised by notes or bonds of the Town, to reconstruct Humphrey street, from Commonwealth avenue to Humphrey square, with macadam pavement, under specifications approved by the Highway Commission, as recommended by Martin E. Nies and others.
ART. 19. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Surveyor of Highways to reconstruct Humphrey street, as outlined in his report for the year 1915, and appropriate the sum of $6,000 therefor, the same to be expended under his direction. Said construction to meet the approval of the Massachusetts Highway Commission, as recommended by Martin E. Nies and others.
ART. 20. To see if the Town will vote to affirm its action of March IS, 1915, wherein it voted to increase the appropriation of the Police Depart- ment $260 for the purpose of carrying out the recommendation contained in the annual report of the Chief of Police, dated December 31, 1914, on page 150, as recommended by Loring Grimes and others.
ART. 21. To appropriate and raise by borrowing or otherwise such sum or sums of money as may be necessary for all or any of the purposes mentioned in the foregoing articles.
And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting attested copies hereof at the Town Hall, Depots, Post Offices and three other public and conspicuous places in the Town, seven days at least before the time of holding said meeting.
HEREOF, FAIL NOT, and make due return of the Warrant, with your doings thereon, at the time and place of meeting as aforesaid.
Given under our hands this eighteenth day of August, in the year 1915.
CLARENCE B. HUMPHREY, JAMES F. CATON, ELIAS G. HODGKINS, Selectmen of Swampscott.
A true copy. Attest :
FRANK H. BRADFORD, Constable.
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TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
1915]
Return on the Warrant.
Pursuant to within warrant to me directed, I have notified the legal voters of Swampscott, by posting attested copies of said Warrant at the Town Hall, Post Offices, Depots and twenty public and conspicuous places in Swampscott, on Thursday, August 19, 1915, the posting of said notices being at least seven days before the time of said meeting.
FRANK H. BRADFORD,
Constable.
Special Town Meeting, Thursday, August 26, 1915.
In accordance with the foregoing Warrant, the voters of the Town assembled at the Town Hall on Thursday evening, August 26, 1915.
The meeting was called to order at eight o'clock by Daniel F. Knowlton, Moderator, there being the necessary number of voters present to transact business.
The Warrant calling the meeting and return thereon was read by the Town Clerk.
Report of Committee on Ways and Means for Special Town Meeting, August 26, 1915.
ARTICLE I .- Your Committee favors this article, provided interest at the rate of 6 per cent is paid on the investment until the water rates of the users equal the interest.
We recommend that a 6-inch water main be laid under the above condi- tions, and that the amount of $337.50 be appropriated for the same.
ART. 2 .- We recommend that the sum of $150 be appropriated to lay a 6-inch water main, as petitioned for by this article.
ART. 3 .- Your Committee favors this article, provided interest at the rate of 6 per cent is paid on the investment until the water rates of the users equal the interest.
We recommend that a 6-inch water main be laid as petitioned for, and $287.50 be appropriated for same.
ART. 4 .- Your Committee recommends the transfer of unexpended balances, as recommended by the Water and Sewerage Board.
ART. 5 .- Your Committee recommends that the sewer main on Suffolk avenue be extended a distance of 150 feet, as petitioned for, and that $350 be appropriated for same, to be taken from the frontage and area assessment fund.
ART. 6 .- The Park Commissioners report that the outfield at Jackson Park must be filled with loam and seeded in order that it may be used next spring, also that repairs have been required on the raft at Fisherman's Beach.
We recommend that $400 be appropriated for these purposes as recommended.
ART. 7 .- The Board of Health has informed your Committee that because of the increased cost of collecting garbage, owing to the inability of the lowest bidder to file bond, $400 is needed to carry on the work for the remainder of the year. Also an additional appropriation of $600 is required for general expenses.
Your Committee recommends that $1,000 be appropriated as recom- mended by the Board of Health.
ART. 8 .- Your Committee has carefully investigated all sides of this question, and consulted with the Massachusetts Highway Commission. The original sum of $6,000 which was voted at the Annual Town Meeting for the purpose of improving Humphrey street, from Commonwealth avenue to Humphrey square, is entirely inadequate to do this work in accordance with specifications acceptable to the Highway Commission. The Selectmen have submitted a majority report, recommending that a concrete pavement be laid on the southerly side of Humphrey street, from
5
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,
Commonwealth avenue to Bates road, and that the material excavated be used to fill the northerly side of the road. This would mean that in the near future the northerly side of the road would have to be excavated and rebuilt, entailing a loss to the Town. The Highway Commission approved cement construction for this road and the money has been bor- rowed by the Selectmen on this basis. In all probability a cement road will be the most durable and best for the purpose, and your Committee is of the opinion that it would be unwise to complete one side of the road, leaving the other in a temporary condition with a certainty of additional expense in the near future. We feel that the best interests of the Town will be served by the completion of as much of the road on both sides as is possible under the existing appropriation, the remaining portion to be put in safe condition for use out of the appropriation for maintenance of roads. This leaves the way open for the additional work at a later date, if approved by the Town. The Town is equipped with the neces- sary machinery and organization for the construction of Highways, and it has been recently demonstrated in nearby cities that such work can be done to advantage by the Municipal Department.
Furthermore : The Town is in a position to purchase material to advantage. We believe that in the present case the work should be done by the Town under the direction of the Surveyor of Highways.
We recommend that the sum of $6,000 voted at the last Annual Town Meeting be expended under the direction of the Surveyor of Highways for the construction of a concrete pavement, easterly from Commonwealth avenue, on both sides of the street, said pavement to be in accordance with the specifications of the Highway Commission.
ART. 9 .- We recommend that the sum of $2,200 be appropriated as recommended by the Board of Selectmen, the amount to be taken from the unexpended balance of the Humphrey street widening appropriation, work to be done under the direction of the Surveyor of Highways.
ART. 10 .- We recommend that the sum of $1,100 be appropriated as requested by this article, the amount to be transferred from the Humphrey street widening appropriation, work to be done under the direction of the Surveyor of Highways.
ART. II .- This is a large question and should not be disposed of with- out most careful consideration. The Town has already acquired an easement and has constructed a drain connecting with the Marshall Brook outfall, and the Board of Health has required that this be opened in order to take care of the excess water during the season. It is, therefore, necessary to provide a permanent culvert to replace this portion of the drain. Your Committee, however, feels that the larger question of car- ing for the brooks that drain the Phillips Swamp should be referred to a Special Committee, consisting of the Selectmen and three (3) others, to be appointed by the Moderator, and so recommend.
We further recommend that the sum of $700, as estimated by the Town Engineer, be appropriated for a cement culvert to extent from Orient street to to the property of the New Ocean House.
ART. 12 .- This article presents an important and difficult problem which the Water and Sewerage Board has endeavored to solve in an equitable manner, We feel, however, in view of the substantial increase in the rate of excess water, that it would be advisable for the Water and Sewerage Board and a Committee of Citizens to investigate the subject thoroughly.
We recommend that a committee, consisting of the Water and Sewerage Board and three (3) others to be appointed by the Moderator, be instructed to consider the subject of this article and report at the next Town Meeting.
ART. 14 .- Your Committee has in the past taken the position that only matters of urgency or routine should be presented before the Special Town Meeting. Undoubtedly it will be to the advantage of the Town to eventually motorize the entire apparatus of the Fire Department. In our opinion the existing Ladder Truck can be utilized without detriment to the Town for some time.
We recommend that this article be indefinitely postponed.
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ART. 16 .- We recommend that this artiele be indefinitely postponed.
ART. 17 .- We recommend that this article be indefinitely postponed.
ART. 18 .- As the appropriation of $6,000 under Article 60, made at the last Annual Town Meeting of March 22nd, 1915, called for the reconstruc- tion of Humphrey street, from Commonwealth avenue to Humphrey square, with macadam pavement, according to the specifications of the Highway Commission, and as your Committee has recommended that this work be done under different conditions, as reported under Article 8, we recommend that the vote of the Town under Article 60, in so far as it relates to the laying of the pavement from Commonwealth avenue to Humphrey square, be rescinded, and amended in accordance with recom- mendation under Article 8.
ART. 19 .- As the subject of this article has been covered by our report on Article 8, we recommend that this article be indefinitely postponed.
Signed :
HENRY S. BALDWIN, WIEAR L. ROWELL, E. HAROLD NEWHALL, WILLIAM E. CARTER, WESTON K. LEWIS, F. WALKER JOHNSON. Committee on Ways and Means.
Voted, Article I. To accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Committee, appropriating $337.50 to extend the water main from Millett road into Crest road, a distance of 125 feet, in accordance with report.
Voted, Article 2. To accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Committee, appropriating $150 to extend the water main on Suffolk avenue, a distance of 125 feet, as petitioned for.
Voted, Article 3. To accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Committee, appropriating $287.50 to extend the water main on Fairview avenue, in accordance with report.
Voted, Article 4. To accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Committee, transferring the unexpended balances of water construction appropriations as follows : Millett road, $23,57 ; Phillips avenue, $107.89 ; Mountwood road, $50 ; Galloupe's point, $347.48 ; to Suffolk avenue, Fair- view avenue and Crest avenue, as recommended by the Water and Sewerage Board.
Voted, Article 5. To accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Committee, appropriating $350, to extend the sewer on Suffolk avenue, as petitioned for, the amount to be taken from the frontage and area assessment fund.
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